Washington Redskins Release Disappointing Receiver Devin Thomas

With each week that passes, the Washington Redskins look less and less like the Jim Zorn-coached, Vinny Cerrato-assembled team from the last two years. In yet another less than surprising roster move, the Redskins released third-year receiver Devin Thomas. The move has little effect on the Redskins offense, and is only a minor blip on the kick return radar.

Both sides are likely better off parting ways, but it is evidence of the poor talent evaluation of the last regime.

In his first two seasons, Thomas managed just 40 catches for 445 yards and three touchdowns, with another touchdown on the ground. For comparison, Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson were drafted after Thomas. Royal has caught 153 passes for 1,624 yards and seven touchdowns, with two special teams touchdowns. Jackson has caught 140 passes for 2,405 yards and 13 touchdowns, with two rushing touchdowns and three punt return touchdowns.

As the first selection made by the Redskins in the 2008 draft, Thomas is a bust.

He showed flashes of his abilities at different times last season, but failed to consistently get separation and position on his routes to get looks on offense. This season, he had been relegated to kick return duty. Even his play on kick returns left a lot to be desired, as he often rushed his returns and did not allow his blockers to create space.

Thomas, just 23 years old, will likely catch on somewhere else, but his departure makes room for running back Keiland Williams and opens the door for Brandon Banks to have more special teams chances.

The Redskins have the luxury of a relatively anonymous receiving corps, as Santana Moss is seen as a glorified slot man and Joey Galloway is in the twilight of his career. Anthony Armstrong is less of a name, but has the ability to make big plays down the field in the same vein that Thomas was drafted for.

At least now the roster space will go to a player who deserves it.

At the end of the day, Thomas' release is just another reminder of a wasted draft. His time with the Redskins has been forgettable. He is the perfect example of a player with all the physical tools but a lack of maturity. A player swept up in the celebrity of the NFL. Most fans won't mind this move, and Thomas never gave them or the coaches any reason to.